When making friends with good men, you should not suddenly become close to them. Nor should you make your intentions widely known prematurely. That way you risk incurring the slander of evil men.
When pushing bad people from you, you should not lightly banish them from your presence. Nor should you prematurely disclose their misdeeds. That way you risk allowing mischief-makers to stir up trouble.
铲除恶人应保密防祸善人未能急亲不宜预扬，恐来谗谮之奸；恶人未能轻去不宜先发，恐遭媒蘖之祸。
Notes
Excessive eagerness and publicity toward the virtuous may backfire—over-familiarity fuels suspicion, and excessive praise invites slander.
Rashness and preemption toward the malicious may escalate conflict—precipitous rupture provokes retaliation, and aggressive confrontation invites entrapment.”
Both scenarios call for restraint and discernment: neither let zeal for ‘good’ cloud judgment, nor allow indignation toward ‘evil’ dictate action. Find equilibrium between advance and retreat, speech and silence.
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